Game scoring apparatus



Sept. 22, 1942. l A F ECKERT 2,296,508

GAME SCORING APPARATUS v Filed July 15, 1940 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR ALB/NEEc/{ERT ATTORNEY Sept. 22,1942- A. F. ECKERT GAME SCORING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July l5, 1940 INVENTOR ALB/N E :C/(ERT ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 22, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAME SCORDTG APPARATUS Albin Frank Eckert, Dayton, Ohio Application July 15, 1940, Serial No. 345,466

14 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for indicating the score in a game, or the like.

One object of the invention is to provide means whereby the score may be progressively indicated by easily operated apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus having remote control means for effecting the indication of the scores of the respective players and for resetting the indicator.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus in which the controlling means for the indicating devices are so arranged adjacent the respective stations of the players that they may be quickly and easily operated by the players.

The present apparatus is designed primarily for indicating the score in the game of table tennis and in that game the serve changes after each five points scored.

It is a further object of the invention to provide means controlled by the score indicating apparatus for automatically operating a signal when the last point of each successive group of ve points each is scored.

A further object of the invention is to provide a signal operating mechanism which will be automatically reset when the signal has been operated or when the score indicating mechanism is reset at the end of the game.

Other objects of the invention may appear as the apparatus is described in detail.

Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating the general arrangement of the circuits; Fig. 2 is a schematic View showing the details of the circuits in connection with the mechanical elements; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the cabinet in which the major portion of the mechanism is enclosed; Fig. 4 is a front elevation, partly broken away, of one of the circuit selecting devices; and Fig. 5 is a top plan View of the circuit selecting device with one of the levers in section.

In these drawings I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention and have shown the same as designed primarily for indicating the score in a game of table tennis but it will be understood that the apparatus may take various forms and may be used for various purposes where comparative indications are desired. In Fig. 1 there is shown a circuit diagram illustrating in a simplied form the general arrangement of the circuits, and in Fig. 2 is shown a complete layout of the apparatus with the circuits in detail and as used in practice.

The indicating elements and their operating 55 mechanism are preferably enclosed in a casing or box Ill the front wall of which is provided with score indicating elements and which may be mounted in any suitable position where the score will be visible to the players, as on a Wall alongside of a table. There are two series of indicating elements adapted to indicate, respectively, the scores of the two players, the elements of each series being numbered progressively from 1 to 21. Preferably theftwo series of elements are arranged in parallelism and they are here shown as arranged in arcs of concentric circles. Theseindicating elements may be of any suitable character but I prefer that the indications should be illuminated and to that end the iront wall of the casing I0 may conveniently be formed of opaque material, such as glass which is painted on its inner side, and which is provided with two series of transparent spots I I and I2 on each of which there is placed an opaque numeral, the numerals being preferably on the inner side of the transparent spots so that they can be seen only when illuminated. Each series of indicating elements is provided with identical numerals, the corresponding numerals of the two series being arranged side by side. The number of numerals employed will depend upon the character of the game to be scored. In table tennis the party rst scoring twenty-one points, except when the game goes to deuce game, wins the game and therefore each series includes twenty- `one indicating elements bearing consecutive numerals. The illuminating devices,l which form parts of the respective indicating elements, are arranged within the cabinet and, in the present instance, a small electric lamp I4 is arranged back of each spot II and I2, the lamps being arranged in parallel series corresponding to the arrangement of the spots and means, such as partitions, being provided to conine the light from each lamp substantially to the spot and the numeral with which it is associated. Partitions may, if desired, be provided to prevent the diffusion of the light from the Various lamps but in practice I have not found'this to be necessary. The lamps may be connected with a source of current supply in any suitable manner. In the arrangement shown the lamps of each series are connected with a source of current supply by conductors I5 and I'Las will be hereinafter described, and separate devices are interposed between the lamps of each series and the source of current supply to progressively close the lamp circuits, these devices being herein referred to as circuit selecting devices. In the present innected with the selecting device, and a commonV conductor I leads from the lamps to the positive terminal.

Interposed between each indicating element of the two series and the transformerare two cir, cuit selecting devices, A and B, there being -ofv course a separate selecting device for each series of indicating elements, and means are provided for actuating one or the other of these selecting devices to progressively illuminate the indicating elements of the respective series as 'points are scored by the respective players. The term player is herein used to indicate either an individual or two or more individuals Yplaying as a team. The two circuit selecting devic'esare identical in construction and operation and each comprises -a plurality of stationary contacts connected with the respective lamp circuits, and a movable contact to successively engage the xed contacts and Ythus progressively illuminate the indicating elements. In the present construction (Figsfl and 5) the stationary contacts are shown at 23 and are mounted on and insulated from a supporting plate 24 mounted in a fixed position within the casing, the plate being preferably'formed of Yinsulating material, and -the stationary contacts arevarranged'in arcs of -concentric circles. There are shown Vtwenty-one contacts, one for each indicating element ofthe corresponding series, andV two of these contacts are spaced apart, as shown at 25, to provide a neutral space for the movable contact member. The Xed contacts 23 are connected respectively with the conductors |1 of the lamps of that series with which the vselecting device Yis associated.

The-movable contact is-preferably in the form of an arm:26 mounted for rotation about'the axis of the circular series of fixed contacts, whereby it will be brought successively into engagement with the fixed contacts. In the present arrangement the contact arm is rigidly secured to and carried by a shaft 21 journaled at its front end in the stationary plate 24 and at its rear end in a metal plate 28. The metal plate 28 is connected by conductors 29`and 83 with the negative terminal 22 of the secondary of the transformer and the contact arm 26 is in electrical connection with the shaft and the shaft is in electrical connection with the metal plate 28, thus as the contact arm 26 engages the successive fixed contacts the circuit will be closed through the indicating element which is connected with that contact. The movable contact member may 'be actuated in any suitable manner. Preferably a ratchet wheel 30 is rigidly secured to the shaft 2.1 and an actuating pawl 3| is pivotally connected with a lever 32 which, in the present instance, is pivotally mounted on `the plate 28 at 3|a, and extends both above and below its pivotal axis, the arrangement `being-such that upon each complete oscillation of the Ylever l32 the pawl will advance the ratchet wheel one step, that is, a

distance sufficient to move the contact arm 26 into engagement with the next succeeding fixed contact. Electrically operated means are provided for controlling the action of the lever 32 and, as here shown, that end of the lever oppo,

l, the ratchet wheel and when the solenoid is deenergized and the lever released the latter will 'be moved forwardly by the spring 36 to advance the ratchet wheel and contact arm,

Spring means are provided for resetting the circuit selecting devices at the end of a game or at such other times as it may be desired to restore the movable Contact arm to its initial or neutral position. For this purpose a spring 38 is coiled about the shaft 271 and so connected with the ratchet wheel 30 and the plate 24 that it will be placed under torsion by the successive movements of the shaft by the ratchet wheel. The ratchet wheel and shaft are held against reverse movement by a detent 39 and means are provided for retracting the detent and the actuating pawl when it is desired to reset the selecting device. As here shown, the detent 39 is pivotally mounted on the lower end of a lever 4| pivotally mounted at 4|a between its ends on the plate 28. The detent is also connected with the lever by a spring 42 tending to move the same toward the ratchet wheel. A stop 43 on the detent engages the outer edge lof the lever to cause the pawl to 'be disengaged from the ratchet wheel when the lever is moved clockwise. A spring 44 connected with the Ylower end of the lever 4| and with a, -xed Ypart of the apparatus holds the detent normally in engagement with the ratchet wheel, and the spring 42 permits the detent to yield as the ratchet wheel is advanced step by step. When the lever 4| is moved in a clockwise direction about its axis, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the pawl will be moved bodily away from the ratchet wheel and into an inoperative position with relation thereto. This movement may be imparted to the lever in any suitable manner but it is preferably operated electrically and, inthe present instance, is actuated by a release magnet, the vtwo release magnets being indicated respectively as '45a and 45h. The armature 46 of this magnet has a forwardly extend ing part 41 provided near its outer end with a shoulder 48 which overlies and is adapted to operatively engage the edge of Athe lever 4| so that'when the magnet, 45a or 4522 is energized and the armature 46 actuated the shoulder 48 will act on the lever, which is preferably arranged in an inclined position, to move the same in a `direction to disengage the detent 39 from the ratchet wheel. The actuating pawl 3| vhas a part 49 arranged in the path of the upper portion of the lever k4| so that it will be engaged by that lever when the latter is actuated and moved about its pivotal connection with the lever 32 to disengage the same from the ratchet wheel, thereby completing the releasing of the ratchet wheel and permitting the same to be rotated by the spring 38 to restore the indicator arm to its initial position, as determined by a stop 38a. As soon as the magnet, 45a or 45h is deenergized the spring 44 will return'the lever 4| and the detent 39 to their normal positions, and the pawl 3l will be restored by a spring 44a.

The solenoids 35a and 35h and the magnets 45a and 45h may be actuated in any suitable manner to effect the operation and resetting of the circuit selecting devices. In the present arrangement I have provided two controlling devices, one for each selecting device, which are here indicated at C and D, respectively. Each of these control devices comprises switch means for initiating the operation of the respective circuit selecting devices. For reasons which will hereinafter appear it is preferable to provide each controlling device with two switches and to selectively control the energization of those switches from a remote point, otherwise the solenoids 35a and 35h might be directly energized by the manipulation of switches at the respective ends of the table. The two controlling devices are identical in construction and operation and each includes a normally closed switch 50, the movable contact of which is biased toward its open position, and a normally open switch 52 the movable contact '53 of which is biased toward its open position. Electrically operated means are provided for opening the normally closed switch and closing the normally open switch` As here shown, this means comprises a magnet 55 the armature 55 of which is in the form of a lever having one end of insulating material which extends between the movable contacts of the switches 56 and 52. A spring 56 acts on the armature lever 55 to normally hold the same in a position to retain the switch 50 closed. When the magnet 55 is energized the lever is moved against the action of the spring 56 to close the normally open switch 52 and to permit the normally closed switch '56 to open.

The circuits for the switches of the two controlling devices C and D are as follows: the 1005itive terminal 2| of the transformer is connected by conductors 51 and 51a with one side of the solenoid 35a and the other side of that solenoid is connected by a conductor 58 with the movable member of the normally closed switch 58 of the controlling device D and the other terminal of that switch is connected by conductors 59 and 65 with one terminal of the normally Closed switch 58 of the controlling device C, and the conductor 60 is connected by a conductor l6| with one terminal of the normally open switch c 52, of controlling device C, the other terminal of that switch being connected by conductors 62 and 63, with the negative terminal 22 of the transformer. The conductor 59 is connected by a short conductor 65 with one terminal of the normally open switch 52 of controlling device D, the other terminal of that switch is connected by a conductor 66 with the conductor 63 leading back to the transformer. The second terminal of the normally closed switch 56 of controlling device C is c-onnected by a conductor 61 with the return side of the solenoid 35D and the other side of that solenoid is connected by a conductor 68 with the conductor i51.

When the magnet 54 of controlling device C is energized the normally open switch 52 of that circuit is closed and the normally closed switch 50 is opened. The current then flows from the transformer through conductor 51, solenoid 35a for the circuit selecting device A, conductor 58 through the closed switch 50 of controlling device D, through the conductors 59, 60 and 6|, through the switch 52 of controlling device C, thence through conductors 62 and 63, back to the transformer, thus the solenoid 35a is energized and the circuit selecting device A caused to advance the contact arm 26 thereof one step. When the magnet 54 of controlling device D is energized the normally open switch 52 thereof is closed and the normally closed switch 50 is opened. The current then flows from the transformer through the conductors 51 and 68 to the solenoid 3512 of the circuit selecting device B, thence through conductor 61, through the closed switch 50 of controlling device C, through conductors 60, 59 and 65 to the closed switch 52 of controlling device D, thence through conductors 66 and 63, back to the transformer, thereby Gausing the circuit selecting device B to be actuated to advance the contact arm 26 one step.

The release magnets 45a and 451) are preferably controlled manually and in the present arrangement the magnet 45b is connected with the positive terminal 2| of the transformer by conductors 51, I5, 69, and 1|, and is connected with the negative terminal 22 by conductors 12 and 13, and manually operated switch 14 and conductor 63. The release magnet 45a is connected by a conductor 16 with the conductor 1| and by a conductor 11 with the conductor 12. Consequently upon the closing of the manual switch 14 both release magnets will be energized and both circuit selecting devices reset. The manually operated switch 14 may be of any suitable character and may be arranged in any suitable location. Preferably it is carried by the casing I6, which is located alongside the table, so that the switch can be conveniently actuated by one of the players at the end of the game.

When the game is played before a referee it is desirable that there should be means whereby the referee can control the various operations of the apparatus from his station and I have shown a switch box 18 adapted to be located adjacent the referees station. This switch box includes a switch 19, here shown as of the push button type, which is connected by a conductor 86 with a magnet 8| which is also connected by a conductor 82 with the conductor 51 leading from the positive terminal 2| of the transformer (Fig. 2). The other terminal of the push button switch 19 is connected by conductors 83 and |66 with the return line 63 leading to the negative terminal 22 of the transformer. The magnet 8| operatesI a switch 89 which is connected between the conductors 12 and 63 in parallel with the release magnets. This switch is normally open and, as here shown, is connected with the conductor 12 by a conductor 84 and is connected with the conductor 63 by a conductor 85. The armature 86 of the magnet 8| is provided with an arm 81 arranged to engage a switch closing device 88 forming part of the switch 89. Thus when the magnet 8i is energized by closing the push button switch 19 the current will iiow from the positive terminal 2| of the transformer through conductors 51, 69, 1|, 16, 12, 84, switch 89, conductor 85, and conductor 63 to the negative terminal 22 of the transformer, thereby energizing both release magnets. It will be obvious that the referees switch 19 `could be directly connected with the circuit for the release magnets but in practice it has been found preferable to interpose the relay 6|-89 in order to provide a more powerful current for the operation of the release magnets, the two magnets being operated simultaneously. The referees switch is remote from the indicator and is connected therewith by long fine wires which restrict the flow of the current and in which there is a lossof energy. The relay pera mits a more direct connection between the release magnets and the transformer and avoids the necessity of using a large capacity transformer and heavier conductors.

In table tennis the game is won by the player first scoring twenty-one points, provided both players do not at the same time have a score of twenty points. When this happens it is necessary in order to win the game for one of the players to score two successive points, this being known as deuce game. The present apparatus was designed to indicate twenty-one points only but means are provided for indicating that it is deuce game. As here shown, the casing I is provided with an illuminated panel 90 bearing the legend Deuce game and the lamp 90a for illuminating this panel is connected in circuit with the circuit selecting devices so that it will be illuminated whenever the score of twenty is indicated by the score indicating elements of both series. A normally open switch 9|, associated with the circuit selecting device A, is connected by conductors 92 and 51 with the positive terminal of the transform-er and is connected by a conductor 93 with` a similar normally open switch 94 associated with circuit selecting device. B, the switch 94 being connected by a conductor 95 with the lamp 90a of the deuce game indicator, and a return circuit 96 extends from the lamp 90a to conductor 63 which is connected with the negative terminal of the transformer. Rigidly connected to the shaft 21 of each circuit selecting device in iixed relation to the contact arm 26 of that selecting device is an arm 91 so arranged that when the contact arm is moved into engagement with the twentieth fixed contact the arm 91 will engage and close the associated switch in the deuce game circuit. Thus if twenty points are first scored by the circuit selecting device A the switch 9| will be closed but the two switches being in series the circuit will not be closed unless and until the twenty points are also scored by the selecting device B and the switch S4 closed. The movable contact member of each of the switches `9| and 94 is provided with an extension 00 of such length that the actuating arm 91 of the associated selecting device will remain in engagement with the movable member of the-switch when the contact arm 26 is moved to its twenty-iirst position, thus preventing the movable member 0f the switch from moving into the path of the'arm 91 and preventing the reverse movement thereof.

lThe front of the casing |0 is also provided with two illuminated arrows 59 and |00, associated with the respective series of indicating elements and which point toward the end of the table at which is stationed the player whose score is being indicated by the associated series of indicating elements. These arrows are so connected in the circuit that they will be illuminated whenever the switch 20 is actuated to connect the transformer with the supply line. As shown in Fig. 2, these arrows are connected by the conductor 98 with the conductor 51 which leads from the positive terminal 2| of the transformer and by conductors |0| and |02 with the conductor 96 of the deuce game circuit which leads back to the negative terminal of the transformer. In the present instance, an illuminated panel |03 bearing the legend Table tennis is connected in series with the arrows so that both the arrows and the legend Table tennis are illuminated when the score indicating apparatus is operative.

The`magne'ts'54 of the controlling devices C and D are preferably provided with circuits whereby they may be actuated either by the players themselves or by a referee. As here shown, a normally open switch |04 is connected by a conductor |05 with the magnet 54 of the controlling device D and is connected by conductor |00 with the conductor 63 leading to the negative terminal 22 of the transformer so that when this switch |04 is closed the current will iiow from the positive terminal 2| through conductors 51, 69 and |01, to the magnet 54 of the controlling device D, thence through the conductor |05, switch |04 and conductor |00 back to the negative terminal. A second switch of the same character is provided for the magnet circuit of the controlling device C'and this switch is connected with the negative terminal in the same manner as the switch 04 but is connected by a conductor |08 with the magnet 54 of the controlling device C. The switch |04 may be of any suitable character but in order to enable the switch to be operated by a player from any position across the end of the table which he may happen to occupy I prefer to stretch a wire l0 crosswise of the table adjacent the players position and above his head, the intermediate portion of the wire being maintained taut by a spring connected with the wire at a point spaced from one end thereof and also connected with a fixed support and this spring thus maintains a slack in the end portion of the wire which will permit it to yield under the force of a blow. The intermediate portion of the wire is connected, preferably by a spring |2, with an actuating lever I3 for the switch 04. When the player scores a point he reaches up and strikes the wire either with his hand or with his racquet, thereby actuating the lever ||3 to close the switch |04 and energize the magnet of the controlling device with which that switch is associated. It will be understood that such an actuating device is provided at each end of the table. Further, in order that the scoring may be effected by a referee the magnets 54 of the controlling devices C and D are connected with referees switch box 18 by auxiliary circuits in parallel respectively with the two switches 04 at the ends of the table. rThe switch box 18 is provided with a switch ||4 which is connected by a conductor ||5 with the conductor |05 of controlling device D, and is connected by conductors ||6 and |06 with the return conductor 63. The switch box also has another switch ||1 which is connected by a conductor |5a with conductor |08 leading to the magnet of the controlling device C, and by conductors |6a and |80 with conductor 63.

As has been heretofore explained in the game of table tennis the serve changes at the end of each five points and I have embodied in the present apparatus an automatically controlled signal which will indicate to the players, preferably audibly, that the fifth point has been scored. This signal may be of any suitable character but it is here shown as an ordinary electric bell |20. The operating mechanism for the signal comprises a signal circuit and a controlling circuit. The signal circuit comprises a conductor 2|, which is connected with the positive terminal 2| of the transformer by conductors 69 and 51, and with one side of the signal. The other side of the signal |20 is connected with the negative terminal of the transformer by conductors |23, |25, |21 and B3, and a normally closed switch |24 and a normally open switch |26 are conthe switch |26 by conductor |25, and with con-- ductor 63, but in the preferred layout of Fig. 2 the conductor |23 leads directly to the switch |24 and conductor |21 connects the switch |26 with the conductor 63. The conductor |21 is also connected by a conductor |21a with a base plate |28 which serves as a ground for other parts of the mechanism. Thus it will be noted that this signal circuit contains a normally closed switch and a normally open switch which must be manipulated in timed relation in order to effect the operation of the signal. The means for controlling the switches in the signal circuit include a selector switch |29 which, as here shown, comprises a fixed contact |30 and a movable contact or arm |3| movable step by step toward the xed contact and adapted to be moved into circuit closing engagement therewith upon the last of a predetermined number of movements. fixed contact is carried by a plate or disk of insulating material |32 mounted in a xed position in the apparatus. A shaft |33 is journaled at one end in the plate |32 and at the other end in the base plate |28 with which it is electrically connected. The contact arm |3| is rigidly secured to the shaft |33 and the latter has secured thereto a ratchet wheel |34 adapted to be actuated in a manner hereinafter described to advance the Contact arm |3| ystep by step. The fixed contact |30 is connected by a conductor |35 with a normally open switch |36 which switch is connected by a conductor |31 with one side of releasing magnet |38, the other side of which is connected by a conductor |39 with the transformer. In the layout of Fig. 2 conductor |39 is connected with the positive terminal by conductors |2|, 69 and 51, the movable contact |3| being grounded, but in the diagram of Fig. 1 conductor |39 is connected with the negative terminal and the movable contact |3| is connected with the positive terminal by conductors |22 and 51. This mechanism is controlled by a magnet, here `shown as a solenoid |40, the core or plunger |4| of which is provided with a lug |42 which in turn is connected by a spring |43 with the base plate |28, the arrangement being such that the plunger |4| is returned to and held in its extended position when the solenoid is deenergized. In Fig. 2 the solenoid is connected with the positive terminal 2| of the transformer by a conductor |44 which is connected with the conductor |2| which in turn is connected with the positive terminal of the transformer and in Fig. 1 conductor |44 is connected directly with conductor 51. The vsolenoid is connected with the negative terminal 22 of the transformer through the switches of both the controlling devices C and D so that it will be energized when either one of those controlling devices is actuated. As here shown, it is connected by a conductor |65 with the conductors 59 and 60 of the controlling mechanisms for the circuit selecting devices. Consequently if the normally closed switch 50 of the control device D is open and the normally open switch 52 is closed current will pass from the conductor |45 through conductors 59, 65, switch 52, conductors 66 and 63, to the negative terminal 22. If, however, the normally closed switch 50 of controlling device C is open In the present arrangement the and normally open switch 52 is closed current will flow from the conductor |45 through conductors 60, 6|, switch 52, conductors 62 and 63, to the negative terminal 22. Consequently upon each operation of either controlling device the operating solenoid |40 for the signal mechanism is energized. The plunger |4| of the solenoid |40 is operatively connected with a slide bar |46 which is here shown as slidably mounted in a vertical guideway |46a. in the base plate |28, and is retained in the guideway by a headed stud.|41. In the present instance the lug |42 of the plunger |4| is provided with a slot |48 through which extends a pin |49 secured to the lower portion of the slide bar |46. slide bar is a pawl |50 arranged to engage and actuate the ratchet wheel |34. This pawl is biased toward the ratchet wheel by a spring |5| and its movement toward the ratchet wheel is limited by a stop |52, with which one end of the spring is connected. The arrangement of the pawl is such that when the parts are in their normal positions, that is, the operating magnet is deenergized and the plunger |4| is in its elevated position, the nose of the pawl will be retained out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel but will overhang a portion of those teeth so that when the plunger is drawn downward, by the energization of the operating magnet, the pawl will engage one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel and when the solenoid is deenergized the spring |43, by raising the plunger and slide bar, will cause the pawl to advance the ratchet wheel and the contact arm |3| one step. The contact member |3|, when in its initial position, is spaced such a distance from the fixed contact |30 that it must be advanced a predetermined number of steps, in the present instance five, before it can engage the xed contact.

The initial energization of the operating magnet, that is, the rst operation of each successive group of ve operations each, in addition to advancing the movable member of the selector switch one step, will also effect the opening of the normally closed switch |24 and the closing of the normally open switch |26 in the signal circuit, and the closing of the normally open switch |36 in the control circuit. In the present arrangement of the mechanism the movable member |53 of the switch |24 is biased toward its open position and is held normally in its closed position by contact with one end of a lever |54, pivotally mounted on a plate |55 and retained in its normal position by a spring |56. The movable member |53 of the switch is provided with a cam surface which is engaged by the end of the lever |54 when that lever is moved to its normal or elevated position. The other end of the lever |54 is provided with a cam surface |51 so arranged that when the lever is moved about its axis the cam will act on and close the switch |36. At the same time the outer end of the lever is moved away from the movable contact |53 of the switch |24 and that switch opens by its own resiliency. The lever |54 is connected with the slide bar |46 by a spring |58 so that upon the initial -energization of the operating magnet the lever |54 will be actuated to close the switch |36, and open the switch |24. It is then locked in that position by means of a latch |59 engaging a shoulder |60 on the hub of the lever |54. This latch constitutes the armature of the release magnet |38 and is held normally in its retracted position by a spring |6|. Thus the Pvotally mounted on the energization of themagnet |38 will retractV the latch thereby releasing the lever |54 and causing the switches |24 and |36 to be restored to their initial conditions. It will be understood that when the lever |54 is in its latched position the spring |58 is under little or not tension and will not prevent the movement of the lever |54 by the spring |56,

The movable contact memberfof the normally openY switch 26 inthe signal circuit is biased toward its closed position but the switch is held open, so long as the contact arm of the selector switch is in its initial position, by an arm |62 rigidly secured to the shaft |33' and so arranged that when the movable contact |3| is in its initial or neutral position the arm |62 will be in engagement-with a part. |63-of the movable contact of the switch |26' andE will hold that movable contact in circuit opening position. Upon the first movement of Ythe movable contact |3| the arm |62 will move away from the movable member of the switch |26 to permit the latter to move to its circuit closing position.

Thus it will appear that at theend of the rst operation of the magnet |40 the switches of the signal circuit have been reversed, that is, switch |24 is open and switch |26 is closed. The controlling switch 36 has been closed but the selector switch is still open. The only effect of the next three energizations of the operating magnet will beto advance the contact arm of the selector switch from its rst position to its fourth position, the other switches' remaining in the positions in which they have been, set. Upon the fifth energization of the operating magnet the contact arm |3| of the selectorswitch engages the xed contact |30 thereof and the control circuit is closed, thereby energizingthe release magnet |38 and causing the switch operating arm to be released, the movement of this arm to its normal position serving to close the switch 24 in the signal circuit and to open the switch |36 of the control circuitl The switch |26 having been previously closed, the signal circuit is now complete and the signal is operated.

The selector switch is then restored to its first position and the 'cycle of operations is completed. The restoring of the-selectorswitch to its initial position may be effected in any suitable manner but is preferably automatic and` in the present instance a spring |64 is coiled about the shaft |33' of the selector switch and is connected With the ratchet wheel |34 and with the switch plate |32 in such a manner that the rotation of the ratchet wheel and shaft willA place the spring under torsion. The ratchet wheel is held normally against reverse movement by a pivoted det'ent |65 which is held in contact with the ratchet Wheel by a spring |66. A lever |61 is pivotally mounted betweenits ends and one end thereof extends beneath the outer or tail portion of the detent pawl |65, so that when the lever is rocked about its axis itv will engage the detent and move the same toy aninoperative position. In the present instance the rocking of the lever is effected by a magnet |68, the armature |69 'of which is held normally in its retracted position by a spring and has a part extending across the lever |61 and so arranged that when the armature isv actuated-by the energization of the magnet |68 it will rock the lever about its axis and thus actuate the, detent to release the ratchet Wheel, and permit the-latter to be moved in areverse direction byV its spring |64 until a `stop-pin. 233 thereon engages a xed stop 234 on the base plate. The magnet |68 is connected with the signal circuit so as to be energized upon each operation of the signal and, as shoWn in Fig. 2 it is connected with conductory |2| of the signal circuit, as shown at |12,V and is connected with conductor |23 of the signal circuit by a conductor |13, so that the magnet |68 will be energized upon each operation of the signal but the signal will operate before reverse movement can be imparted to the selector switch to open the normally open switch |26 and thus open the signal circuit.

In order that the signal may operateA for an appreciable length of time and that the detent |65 may be retained in its inoperative position long enough to permit the-contact nger |3| to be returned to its initial position, the signal and the paWl actuating or resetting magnet |68 are directly controlled by the signal circuit, which remains closed for a brief interval after the selector switch |29 has been opened. If the signal |20 and the resetting magnetv |68 were deenergized immediately upon the opening of the selector switch the operation of the signal would be very short and the detent |65 would again engage the ratchet wheel before the contact ringer |3| had returned to its initial position. With the circuit arrangement here shown the energiza.- tion of the operating magnet |40, uponthe first of each series of operations, retracts the plunger |4| and thereby opens the switch |24 and closes the switch |36. When the magnet |40 is deenergized the spring |43 causes the pawl |50 to advance the Contact nger |3|, of the switch |29, one step, thereby withdrawing the arm |62 and permitting the switch |26 to close. The circuits remain in this condition during the successive movements of the contact nger |3| until that finger engages the contact |30, thereby energizing the release magnet |38 which opens the switch |36 and closes the switch |24v and thus completes the circuit through the signal and the resetting magnet |68 independently of the switch |29. The energization of the resetting magnet releases the ratchet wheel |34 and the contact nger is returned by the spring |64, but the switch |26 remains closed and therefore the resetting magnet holds the detent |65 in its inoperative position until the contact finger is returned to its initial'position and the arm |62 opens the switch |26 and thus deenergizes the resetting magnet and the signal.

Means are also provided for resetting the five point signal mechanism when the circuit selecting devices are reset, regardless of the position of the contact arm of the selector switch. For this purpose the conductor |13 which connects the resetting magnet |68 with the signal circuit is connected by a conductor |14 with one side of a normally open switch |15, the other side of which is connected with the conductor 12 of the release magnets for the circuit selecting devices. The switch |15 includes an actuating member |16, the outer end of which extends beneath the arm 41 of the armature for the release magnet 45a so that when that magnet is energized the switch |15 will be closed, thereby energizing the resetting magnet |68. A manually operated switch |11 is also connected in circuit With the resetting magnet 68, in parallel with the other controlling devices therefor, so that the selector switch may be reset at any time and for any reason. The referees switch box 18 is also provided with a switch |18 whereby the signal circuit may be completed independently of the control circuit and the mechanism restored to its initial position by the referee. For this purpose the switch |18 is connected by a conductor |19 with the signal circuit in advance of the switch |24, and the other side of the switch |18 is connected by a conductor |80 with conductor |06l leading to the negative terminal 22 of the transformer. Thus when the referees switch |18 is operated the magnet |68 is energized and the selector switch restored to its initial position.

It is essential that the operating magnet |40 shall be so connected with the circuits for the controlling devices C and D that it will be energized when either controlling device is actuated. It is equally important that the connection shall be of such a character that the closing of the circuit through the magnet of one controlling device Will not close the circuit through the magnet of the other controlling device and thus cause both selecting switches to be operated. In the present arrangement this is accomplished by providing each controlling device with a normally closed switch 50 and a normally open switch 52, both switches being controlled4 by the magnet for that controlling device and the arrangement being such that when the normally open switch of one controlling device is closed, to actuate its selecting switch, the current will flow from the transformer to the operating magnet |40 through line |2| and will flow back to the transformer through line |45 and the normally open switch which has been open thus closed, thus passing through the magnet of the other controlling device, the normally closed switch of the latter being connected with the positive terminal of the transformer.

It will be understood, of course, that when the apparatus is used for scoring a game in which the ve point signal or a similar indication is unnecessary the iive point signal mechanism will be disconnected, and, if the apparatus is constructed solely for scoring such a game the live point signal mechanism may be omitted.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details thereof as various modications may occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a game scoring apparatus, a plurality of series of score indicating elements, separate means for progressively actuating the indicating elements of the respective series, separately operable means for controlling the operation of the respective actuating means, a signal, and means controlled by the operation of said controlling means for actuating said signal when a predetermined number of score indicating elements of either or both series have been actuated.

2. In a game scoring apparatus, a plurality of series of score indicating elements, separate means for progressively actuating the indicating elements of the respective series, separately operable means for controlling the operation of the respective actuating means, a signal, means including a movable element for actuating said signal when said movable element has been moved to a predetermined position, and means controlled by said controlling means to advance said movable element a predetermined distance upon the operation of either of said controlling means. l

3. In a game scoring apparatus, a plurality of series of score indicating elements, separate means for progressively actuating the indicating elements of the respective series, separately operable means for controlling the operation of the respective actuating means, a signal, means including a movable element for actuating said signal when said movable element has been moved to a predetermined position, means controlled by said controlling means to advance said movable element a predetermined distance upon the operation of either of said controlling means, and means for restoring said movable element t6 its initial position after each operation of said signal.

4. In a game scoring apparatus, a plurality of series of score indicating elements, separate means for progressively actuating the indicating elements of the respective series, separately operable means for controlling the operation of the respective actuating means, a signal, means including a movable element for actuating said signal when said movable element has been moved to a predetermined position, and means controlled by said controlling means to advance said movable element a predetermined distance upon the operation of either of said controlling means and for restoring said movable element to its initial position after it has been moved to said predetermined position and said signal has operated.

5. In a game scoring apparatus, a plurality of series of electrically operated score indicating elements, an individual circuit for each indicating element, electrically operated means for selectively closing and opening the individual circuits of the respective series of indicating elements, separate means for controlling the operation of the respective electrically operated means, a signal, electrical means for operating said signal including a normally open circuit closing device, and an electrically operated device connected in circuit with both said controlling means and having means for moving said signal circuit closing device to circuit closing position upon the last of a predetermined number of operations of either or both of said controlling means.

6. In a game scoring apparatus, a plurality of series of electrically operated score indicating elements, an individual circuit for each indicating element, electrically operated means for selectively closing and opening the individual circuits of the respective series of indicating elements, separate means for controlling the operation of the respective electrically operated means, a signal, electrical means for operating said signal including a normally open circuit closing device, and an electrically operated device connected in circuit with both said controlling means and having means for moving said signal circuit closing device to circuit closing position upon the last of a predetermined number of operations of either or both of said controlling means, and also having means for restoring said signal circuit closing device to its initial open position after said signal has been operated.

7. In a game scoring apparatus, a plurality of series of electrically operated score indicating elements, an individual circuit for each indicating element, electrically operated means for selectively closing and opening the individual circuits of the respective series of indicating elements, separate means for controlling the operation of the respective electrically operated means, a signal, electrical means for operating said signal including a normally open circuit closing device and an electrically operated device connected in circuit with both said controlling means and having means for moving said-signal circuit closing device to circuit closing position upon the last of a predetermined number of operations of either or both of said controlling means, means including a magnet for-resetting said signal circuit closing device to its initial open position, and m-eans set in operation by said electrically operated device for energizing said magnet when said signal circuit is closed and for maintaining the same energized until said signal circuit closing device has been restored to its initial position.

8. In a game scoring apparatus, a plurality of series of electrically operated score indicating elements, an individual circuit for each indicating element, electrically operated means for selectively closing and openingthe individual circuits of the respective series of indicating elements, separate means for controlling the operation of the respective electrically operated means, a signal, electrical means for operating said signal including a normally open circuit closing device and an electrically operated device connected in circuit with both said controlling means and having means for moving said signal circuit closing device to circuit closing position upon the last of a predetermined number of operations of either or both of said controlling means, means for returning said signal circuit closing device to its initial open position, means for normally preventing the return movement of said signal closing device, means including a magnet for releasing said signal circuit closing device for return movement, and means controlled by said signal circuit closing device for energizing said magnet when said signal circuit is closed and for deenergizing said magnet when said signal circuit closing device has been returned to its initial open position.

9. In a game scoring apparatus, a plurality of series of electrically operated score indicating elements, an individual circuit for each indicating element, electrically operated means for selectively closing and opening the individual circuits of the respective series of indicating elements, separate means for controlling the operation of the respective electrically operated means, a, signal, electrical means for operating said signal including a normally open circuit closing device and an electrically operated device connected in circuit with both said controlling means and having means for moving said signal circuit closing device to circuit closing position upon the last of a predetermined number of operations of either or both of said controlling means, means for returning said signal circuit closing device to its initial open position, means for normally preventing the return movement of said signal closing device, means including a magnet for releasing said signal circuit closing device for return movement, a normally closed switch and a normally open switch in circuit with said signal and said magnet, means controlled by said electrically operated device for opening said normally closed switch and closing said normally open switch before said signal circuit closing device has moved to circuit closing position, and means controlled by said signal circuit closing device for closing said normally open switch when said signal circuit closing device is moved to circuit closing position, thereby energizing said signal and said magnet, and for opening said normally closed switch when said signal circuit closing device has been returned to its initial open' position, thereby deenergizing said signal and said magnet.

10. In a game scoring apparatus, a plurality of series of electrically operated score indicating elements, an individual circuit for each indicating element, electrically operated means for selectively closing and opening the individual circuits of the respective series of indicating elements, separate devices for controlling the operation of the respective electrically operated means, a signal, electrical means for operating said signal including a normally open circuit closing device and an electrically operated device connected in circuit with both said controlling devices and having means for moving said signal circuit closing device to circuit closing position upon the last of a predetermined numbero! operations of either or both of said controlling devices, each of said controlling devices comprising a normally closed switch, a normally open switch and means for reversing the positions of said switches, one terminal of the normally closed switch of each controlling device being connected with said electrically operated device and with one terminal of the normally open switch of the other controlling device, and the other terminal of said normally closed switch being connected with one side' of the operating circuit for the corresponding circuit selecting means, the other terminal of said normally open switch being connected with the other side of said operating circuit, whereby the operating circuit of either controlling devi-ce will be closed only when the normally open switch of that device is closed and the normally closed` switch of the other controlling device is closed, and the closing of the operating circuit of either controlling device Will also close the circuit for said electrically operated device for said signal operating means.

11. In a game scoring apparatus, a plurality of series of electrically operated score indicating elements, an individual circuit for each indicating element, electrically operated means for progressively closing and opening the individual circuits of the respective series of indicating elements, separate means for controlling the operation of the respective electrically operated means, a signal, electrical means for ope erating said signal including a normally open circuit closing device, an electrically operated device connected in circuit with both said controlling means and having means for moving said signal circuit closing device to circuit closing position upon the last of a predetermined number of operations of either or both of said controlling means, and alsov having means; for restoring said signal circuit closing device to its initial open position after said signal has been operated, separate electrically operated means for restoring the respective circuit selecting means to their initial positions, and means for connecting the rst mentioned restoring means in circuit with said last mentioned restoring means to cause said signal circuit closing device to be moved to its initial position when said circuit selecting means are moved to their normal positions.

12. In a game scoring apparatus, a plurality of series of electrically operated score indicating elements, an individual circuit for each indicating element, electrically operated means for progres.- sively closing and opening the individual circuits of the respective indicating elements, separate means for controlling the operation of the respective electrically operated means, an electrically operated signal, a normally closed switch and a normally open switch connected in series in circuit with said signal, a control circuit including in series a normally open control switch and a normally open selector switch having a, member movable step by step to circuit closing position, a

switch operating device having means to hold the normally closed switch of said signal circuit closed and operable to open said normally closed switch and to close said normally open control switch, an operating magnet connected in circuit with both controlling means for said circuit selecting means and adapted to be energized when either of said controlling means is operated, means controlled by the initial operation of said magnet for actuating said switch operating device, means for locking said switch operating device in a position to retain the normally closed switch of said signal circuit open and the controlling switch of said controlling circuit closed during subsequent operations of said magnet, means controlled by said magnet to close the normally open switch' of said signal circuit and to advance the movable member of said selector switch one step upon each operation of said magnet, a second magnet in said control circuit to actuate the locking means for said switch operating device to release the latter, means for actuating said switch operating device when so released to close said normally closed switch of said signal circuit and to open the controlling switch oi the controlling circuit, whereby upon each operation of the circuit selecting device for eitherseries of indicating elements said operating magnet will be energized, the rst operation of said operating magnet serving to advance the movable member of said selector switch one step and to open the normally closed switch and close the normally open switch of the signal circuit, the subsequent operations of said operating magnet serving to advance said movable member of'the selector switch step by step to circuit closing position, whereupon said releasing magnet is energized to cause the normally closed switch of the signal circuit to be again closed, thus completing the signal circuit, and means for restoring said movable member of said selector switch to its initial position.

13. In a game scoring apparatus, a plurality of series of electrically operated score indicating elements, an individual circuit for each indicating element, electrically operated means for progressively closing and opening the individual circuits of the respective indicating elements, separate means for controlling the operation of the respective electrically operated means, an electrically operated signal, a normally closed switch, and a normally open switch connected in series in circuit with said signal, a control circuit including in series a normally open control switch and a normally open selector switch having a member movable step by step to circuit closing position, a

switch operating device having means to hold the normally closed switch of said signal circuit closed and operable to open said normally closed switch and to close said control switch, an operating magnet connected in circuit with both controlling means for said circuit selecting means and adapted to be energized when either of said controlling means is operated, means controlled by the initial operation of said magnet for actuating said switch operating device, means for locking said switch operating device in a position to retain the normally closed switch of said signal circuit open and the controlling switch of said controlling circuit closed during subsequent operations of said magnet, means controlled by said magnet to close the normally open switch of said signal circuit and to advance the movable member of said selector switch one step upon each operation of saidmagnet, a second magnet in said control circuit to actuate the locking means for said switch operating device to release the latter, means for actuating said switch operating device when so released to close said normally closed switch of said signal circuit and to open the controlling switch of the controlling circuit, whereby upon each operation of the circuit selecting device icr either series of indicating elements said operating magnet will be energized, the rst operation of said operating magnet serving to advance the movable member of said selector switch one step and to open the normally closed switch' and close the normally open switch of the signal circuit, the subsequent operations of said operating magnet serving to advance said movable member of the selector switch step by step to circuit closing position, whereupon said releasing magnet is energized to cause the normally closed switch of the signal circuit to be again closed, thus completing the signal circuit, means for returning the movable member of said selector switch to its initial position, a detent to hold said movable member normally against such return movement, a magnet in said signal circuit, and means controlled by th'e last mentioned magnet to actuate said detent and release said movable member for return movement. Y

14. In a game scoring apparatus, two series of scoring indicating elements, a separate actuating device for each series of elements having means `for progressively actuating the indicating elements of that series, an electrically controlled supplemental indicating device, two switches connected in series in circuit with said supplemental indicating device, and switch actuating elements connected with and actuated by the respective actuating devices and so arranged with relation to the respective switches that both switches will be closed and said supplemental indicating device actuated only when both actuating devices are positioned to actuate a predetermined score indicating element in both' series of score indicating elements.

ALBIN FRANK ECKERT. 

